Job summary
The Deputy Chief Operating Officer will contribute to delivery of University Hospitals Tees strategic plan, by working in partnership with the Clinical Policy Group, Clinical Service Unit teams and external organisations and commissioners, to achieve University Hospitals Tees corporate objectives and to make a positive contribution to the provision of health services across the local health economy.
The post holder will deputise for the Chief Operating Officer and work closely with theClinical Service Units teams to ensure the safe and effective day to day operations of the organisation are maintained. The Deputy COO may be required to attend UHT Board to update on associated programmes of work.
Main duties of the job
Lead Planned/Unplanned/Community programmes ensuring there is a transformational approach that supports this, alongside a programme that ensures efficient use of UHT resources.
As Planned/Unplanned/Community lead, work with system partners to ensure system wide transformational agenda.
Play active role contributing to the overall development & implementation of UHT long term vision, strategic direction and governance arrangements.
Develop and direct relevant policies & strategies in support of UHT aims & objectives
Lead on operational organisational change & development activity to equip the Clinical Service Units to perform effectively.
Be responsible for assessing the impact of policy and strategy decisions on the delivery of local health services and for designing and delivering implementation plans that maximise benefits & maintain compliance.
To be responsible in partnership with the COO, Medical Director, Service Directors, Ass. Chief Operating Officers and Deputy Chief Nurse - Strategy and Transformation for development and implementation of the Clinical Services 5-year strategic plan and business development plan including the production of an annual operational centre business plan which sets out target outcomes, quality standards and revenue growth.
Highly complex judgement skills are required as the deputy COO will need to consider a number of clinical services which may have opposing demands and competing priorities
Details
- Date posted: 02 November 2026
- Closing date: 19 November 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 9
- Salary: £112,782 to £129,783 a year £112,782 - £129,783 Per Annum
- Contract: Fixed term
- Duration: 12 months
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 345-COR8382747
- Job locations: James Cook University Hospital and UHNT, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the job description and person specification that is attached to this vacancy.
To lead on Planned/Unplanned/Community programmes ensuring that there is a transformational approach that supports this, alongside a programme that ensures efficient use of UHT resources.
As the Planned/Unplanned/Community lead, work with system partners to ensure a system wide transformational agenda.Play an active role in contributing to the overall development and implementation ofUniversity Hospitals Tees long term vision, strategic direction and governance arrangements.
Develop and direct relevant policies and strategies in support of University Hospitals Tees aims and objectives
Lead on operational organisational change and development activity to equip the Clinical Service Units to perform effectively.
Be responsible for assessing the impact of policy and strategy decisions on the delivery of local health services and for designing and delivering implementation plans that maximise benefits and maintain compliance.
To be responsible in partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, Medical Director, Service Directors, Associate Chief Operating Officers and Deputy Chief Nurse Strategy and Transformation for the development and implementation of the Clinical Services five year strategic plan and business development plan including the production of an annual operational centre business plan which sets out target outcomes, quality standards and revenue growth.
Person Specification
Interview Questions
Essential
- Must have operational experience working in an emergency care setting
- Proven ability to be intellectually flexible and to be able to look beyond existing processes and ways of working to produce more effective service delivery
- Experience of leading and managing substantial service change and redesign in a complex environment
- A sound understanding of the NHS current legislation and national strategy
- Detailed knowledge of current acute Trust issues and the regulatory Framework for Trusts
- A strong knowledge of budgetary planning and cost improvement planning processes
- Specialist knowledge and experience is required over a large number of specialties to include Human Resources, Finance, Performance Management, Planning and Communications in additional to extensive operational management knowledge
- Demonstrable understanding of quality and risk management issues and standards
- Ability to develop and deliver effective business and operational plans which are financially sound
- Significant senior management experience within a complex service provider organisation
Desirable
- Evidence of a sound understanding in operational management, lean manufacturing, six sigma etc or comparable service improvement methodologies
- Experience of working with multi- agency committees and establishing relationships with external organisations
- Experience of working at National / Regional system level
Qualifications
Essential
- First degree or equivalent
- Master's degree or equivalent
- Management qualification
- Evidence of recent ongoing continuous professional development.
Skills
Essential
- Supportive, Caring Respectful
- Calm, sensitive and resilient
- Ability to work and remain calm in a busy environment.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
About us
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.
Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.
We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates, including those who first language is not English.
We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
Employer details
- Employer name: North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
- Address: James Cook University Hospital and UHNT, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, United Kingdom
- Employer's website: https://www.nth.nhs.uk/